This project
is about conservation treatment and research on illuminated
manuscripts in Germany, Czech and Poland.
The restoration
and conservation of manuscripts and book illumination
requires a detailed knowledge of materials used and
painting technique. To estimate better the reasons
and progress of damages it is necessary not only to
investigate damaged manuscripts but also those well
preserved. Palette and painting technique changed
in the course of time and the research of codices
representative for different scriptoria is the basis
for the knowledge of the specific techniques of certain
regions and times. These results can be important
for art historical research since they may offer further
indications for questions of dating and localization.
The common
project of the Fachhochschule Köln, the Muzeum
Narodowe Kraków and the Narodní Kníhovna
Praha will offer a platform to discuss the specific
conservational problems of some manuscripts kept in
Kraków and Praha. One focus lies on a group
of six manuscripts manufactured about 1070/90 AD and
used for the coronation ceremonies of the Czech King
Vratislav 1086 and the kings of Poland. These handwritings
belong to the great treasures of Poland and Czech
and represent an intriguing example for cultural exchange
between these countries and the manifestation of the
Roman Catholic religion in opposite to the greek orthodox
church. They also show to a more or less extent very
specific conservational problems. The painting technique
using very few and apparently also a rather weak binding
medium causes losses of paint layers which powder
away or are abrased. The use of a copper containing
„gold“ ink leads to copper corrosion which
already has destroyed parts of the parchment.
There is still some need for research on which would
be the best methods for conservation of these precious
endangered book. This research shall be carried out
in close cooperation of the partners. The participants
will communicate and exchange results and proposals
through this interface. Since the problems are of
broader interest for colleagues dealing with similar
problems and - regarding the high cultural value of
the manuscripts - also for a broader public, the results
will published also by internet.
